'Football is crazy' – Van Gaal hails United's fight for fourth

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal conceded his side were
not at their best as they saw off Crystal Palace to move to the
brink of securing a return to the UEFA Champions League.

Juan Mata's penalty and a Marouane Fellaini effort either side
of Jason Puncheon's free-kick helped United to a 2-1 triumph that
takes them seven points clear of Liverpool, who will be unable to
overhaul their great rivals if defeated by Chelsea on Sunday.

United came into the fixture at Selhurst Park on the back of
three consecutive defeats without scoring, although Van Gaal saw
little improvement from those games on Saturday.

"Football is crazy because when you see how we have played
against Chelsea, Everton and West Bromwich Albion and you compare
it with today, this was not our best match.

"But you win and that's also the beauty of football.

"What I have seen today is the fighting spirit of my team. I
said to my players 'when you fight like you fought today we are
difficult to beat' so I'm very happy with this result.

"It brings us a big step closer to our goal and now we shall sit
tomorrow with a fantastic glass of wine to see Chelsea against
Liverpool."

David de Gea's point-blank save from Glenn Murray at 1-1 was
just as crucial to United's victory – a fact not lost on his
manager.

Van Gaal added: "He made a great save at the most important
moment because at that time Crystal Palace could score the second
goal and then it would be very difficult for us to come again in
the match."